Filmmaker Petra Collins Claims Her Unique Style Inspired the Hit Series
Sam Levinson, the director behind the popular HBO series “Euphoria,” is facing allegations of style imitation from renowned filmmaker and photographer Petra Collins. Petra, known for her unique artistic aesthetic, has asserted that Sam approached her to direct “Euphoria” and indicated that the show drew inspiration from her photography.
To provide context, Sam directed the first two seasons of “Euphoria” and is currently working on the highly anticipated third season, expected to debut in 2025. Since its premiere in 2019, “Euphoria” has garnered acclaim for its distinctive Gen Z-inspired visuals.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Hungarian outlet Punkt, Petra disclosed her interaction with Sam. She claimed that he had approached her to direct parts of “Euphoria” and suggested that the show was “inspired” by her photographic work.
Petra’s influence on photography and film in the 2010s has been significant, often credited with spearheading a new wave of female gaze-led photography. Her artistic contributions include directing music videos for singer Olivia Rodrigo, such as “good 4 u,” “brutal,” and “vampire,” which have been praised for their aesthetic appeal.
Recent discussions about Petra’s claims regarding Sam Levinson have resurfaced on social media, sparking conversations among fans. Screenshots from the interview with Punkt, translated from Hungarian to English, detail Petra’s account of her involvement with “Euphoria.”
According to Petra, she moved to Los Angeles and worked on the show for approximately five months, handling aspects like casting and creating a unique world for the series. However, she stated that HBO ultimately declined her involvement, citing her age as the reason.
A year later, Petra was surprised to encounter a billboard for “Euphoria” that she felt resembled a copy of her work. She expressed her shock and emotional response to the situation, emphasizing that such incidents had occurred in her career before but never on such a large scale.
Sam Levinson’s representatives have not responded to BuzzFeed’s request for comment. However, a source close to Sam denied Petra’s claims while speaking to The Daily Beast. The source asserted that “Euphoria” is a remake of an Israeli show, and while Sam hoped to collaborate with Petra, there were no commitments or promises made.
These allegations come after Sam reportedly took over from another female director, Amy Seimetz, on HBO’s “The Idol,” which aired earlier this year. Reports suggested that Sam ordered reshoots due to concerns raised by cast member The Weeknd regarding the script’s “female perspective.”
The claims surrounding Sam Levinson’s artistic decisions have left fans concerned and sparked a broader conversation about artistic ownership and inspiration in the entertainment industry.
In light of these developments, it remains to be seen how the ongoing narrative surrounding “Euphoria” and its creator will evolve.